Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-08
The adeha 1ay gayle Thursday 9rine 1eeember s, 1887

increase our import trade ten fold as much
in the great fabrics, in wooden and cotton
goods, in iron steel, in all the thousand
and one shapes in which they are wrought.
How are we to export staple fabrics to the
European markets. and how are we to
manufacture them cheaper than they do In
Europe unless we get cheaper labor than
they have in Europe?'
'NThen You think that the question of
labor underlies the whole subject:"
'Of course it does" replied Mr. Blaine.
1t is, in fact the entire question. When
ever we can force carpenters masOns iron
workers and mechanics in every depart
ment to work as cheaply and live as poor
ly in the United States as similar work
men in Europe, we can, OF course, manu-
facture just as cheaply as they do in En-
gland and France. But | am totally OPP
posed to policy that would entail such
results, TO attempt it is equivalent to a
social and financial revolution, and that
would bring untold distress.
Eyes, but might not the great farming
class be benefited by importing articles
from Europe instead of buying them at
higher prices at homer"
1.-THE moment answered Mr.. Blaine,
Won begin to import freely from Europe
YOU drive out our own workmen from me-
chanical and manufacturing pursuits. III
the same proportion they become tillers Of
the soil, increasing steadily the agri-
cultural product and decreasing
steadily the large home demand which is
constantly charging as home manufact-
urers enlarge That. of course, works
great injury to the farmers, quitting the
market with his products and tending con-
stantly to lower prices.
Yes, but the foreign demand for farm
products would be increased IN Ike ratlo,
would it not?"
Even suppose it would" said Mr..
Blaine: now do you know the source from
which it will be suppliedb The tendency
in Russia today and in the Asiatic posses
ions of England is toward large in
crease of the grain supply, the grain
being raised by the cheapest possible
labor Manufacturing countries will buy
their breadstuffs where they can get them
the cheapest, and the charging Of the
home market for the American farmer be
ing checked he would search in vain for
one OF the same value. The best proof Is
that the farmers are prosperous in proper
ton to the nearnesS Of manufacturing cen
tiers and protective tariff tends to spread
manufacturers In Ohio and Indiana, for
example, though not claSsed as manufac-
turing states the annual value of fabrics
is larger than the annual value of agricul-
tural products
in reply TO a suggestion by the reporter
that those holding the presidents views
the country under the tariff Of 1915, Mr..
Blainc said that it did not involve the one
destructive point recommended by the
PRESIDENT namely, the retaining of direct
internal revenue taxes III order 10
abolish an Indirect tax levied on
foreign fabrics. Besides this, the
Crjmean war impaired the trade of
England. France and Russia st til at time
Mr. Blaine then traced the cause Of disas-
trous events which marked the end OF the
experience of Europe with the tariff of
1916 He noted the fact that President
Polk implied the treasury by free trade
tariff under the same condition as prompted
President Cleveland to make the recon-
mendatiOns contained in his message and
said: II trust nothing may occur TO repeat
so disastrous a sequal 70 the policy recon-
mended by President Cleveland But the
uniform fate has been for fifty yers past
that the Democratic party, when il goes
out Of power, always leaves an empty
treasury and when it returns to power
always finds a full treasury"
Then do you mean to Imply that there
should be no reduction OF the national
rGVeuue?'
NO. What have said implies the re-
verse ! would reduce il by q prompt repeal
OF the tobacco tax and would make here
and there some changes in the tariff not to.
reduce protection. but wisely foster it.
W oltlii You tA pam Ooi illt'tuiIS ilIoiC
fully"
4 mean," said Mr.. Blaine, that no
great system of revenue like our tariff can
operate with efficiency and equity unless
the changes Of trade be closely watched
and the law promptly adapted to these
changes. But ! would make no change
that should impair the protective charac-
ter OF the whole body Of the tariff
laws. Four years age in the act of
1888 we made changes of the char
acter ! have tried to indicate.
If such changes were made, and the forti-
flying of our coast thus undertaken at "A
very moderate annual outlay, 10 surplus
would be found after that already accumu-
lated had been disposed Of The outlay Of
money on Notifications. while doing great
service to the country, would give work to
many men"
but what about the existing surplus?"
The abstract of the message | have
seen" replied Mr.. Blaine, contains no
reference To that point | therefore, make
no comment further than to indorse Mr..
Fred Grants remark that surplus is al
wryS easier to handle than a deficit"